Three demonstration research projects at Discovery Farm Woodstock have the potential to address specific challenges faced by Ontario dairy and soybean producers.
As some projects enter their final year, the 2022 Discovery Farm Woodstock Field Report highlights what local researchers have discovered so far.
“The farm offers companies and individual researchers the chance to test and verify their solutions right in the field, in real farming conditions,” says Brayden Bell, field manager at Discovery Farm Woodstock. “It’s a unique way to bring new solutions to farmers in a place where they can see results right in the dirt.”
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Discovery Farm has two national locations for applied research, demonstration projects and knowledge sharing: one in Langham Sask. (610 acres, home of Ag in Motion) and one in Woodstock Ont. (330 acres, home of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show.)
Industry partners conduct demonstration research onsite at the Discovery Farm site both for its key location in Ontario to field-test their products but also for the expanded reach offered through the farm’s extensive network. This supports Discovery Farm’s top priority of putting practical, cutting-edge information into the hands of farmers.
Brayden Bell, Discovery Farm Woodstock Field ManagerSome of this new knowledge is coming from the Field of Excellence project. This 2022 collaboration with Hechenbichler, an Austrian-based company, tested their new-to-Canada biostimulant Amalgerol Essence. This product aims to help promote root growth and neutralize harmful molecules in plants, with potential benefits for soybean producers. The project helped Hechenbichler better understand the southwestern Ontario market and climate. It also allowed the company to become familiar with specific agricultural applications commonly used in the province to inform future decisions about this biostimulant.
Yield is always top of every producer’s mind and the 100-Bushel Soybean: What’s Really Holding Us Back? Project aims to find some answers. Conducted by University of Guelph graduate student Matthew Rundle, the project looks at the contributing factors behind high-yield potential in soybeans. The last two years of research have produced intriguing results regarding interactions among genetics, environment and management practices. Even though yield is the main focus, much is being learned about soybean crop growth rate, canopy greenness and solar radiation use efficiency.
Herbs and spices may help get human kids to eat better but the Grober Young Animal Development Centre (GYADC) project may reveal if this works for calves too. The research is looking at how adding an oregano product (DOSTO® Oregano) affects performance, feed intake and health of Holstein bull calves. The 2022 study found that adding the product to milk replacer had no impact on milk intake, indicating that the oregano flavour did not deter the calves from drinking. Other results showed the potential for this nutritional supplement to support gut recovery and restore a healthy environment during a period of challenge.
The 2022 Discovery Farm Woodstock Field Report highlights additional events and activities that drew thousands of farmers to the Discovery Farm Woodstock site throughout the year. The highlight of course was Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show from September 13-15, 2022 which drew more than 43,800 visitors. In addition to the research highlighted above, farmers got the chance to see small crop plots from 15 eastern Canadian companies.
In 2023, Discovery Farm Woodstock welcomes new partners and more collaborative demonstration research projects. Seasonal events, tours, training sessions and a variety of knowledge-sharing initiatives continue to build agricultural knowledge and create new opportunities and advancements for farmers to learn about the latest sustainable and innovative agriculture practices for Ontario.
The Discovery Farm 2022 Field Reports can be downloaded at www.discoveryfarm.ca/field-reports.
Companies looking to get involved at Discovery Farm can find contact information on the website.
